Magnavox MP12-002 Speakers

[travellersol]

There's this pair of floor-standing speakers Magnavox MP12-002 available in my place. There seems to be almost no info on the web on this Australian product. Anybody here knows them? Any comments/reviews?

 

[swechsler]

All I can say is that they look interesting and well-made. Nothing like what Magnavox sold in the states. Based on the style, I'm going to guess that they date from the late 1970s to early 80s. They're probably due for a recapping, so mids/highs may not sound ideal.

 

[savatage1973]

Since Philips acquired Magnavox in 1974, what do you suppose the chances are that those are Philips drivers?

 

[swechsler]

Apparently Magnavox Australia isn't owned by Philips. No idea if it was in the past, but those don't look like Philips drivers.

 

[Lavane]

Real binding posts. I personally would gamble on them if the price was right. New caps may be in order though.

 

[dzkfraser]

good stuff

 

[kvining]

All I can say is that they look interesting and well-made. Nothing like what Magnavox sold in the states. Based on the style, I'm going to guess that they date from the late 1970s to early 80s. They're probably due for a recapping, so mids/highs may not sound ideal.

Yo, buddy, Magnavox sold some great stuff in the states back in the 60's, check out my prized set, rubber surrounds, 15" with horns, I'd match them up against any set of Klipsch Hersey's any day:

 

[kvining]

good stuff

Rubber surrounds, lots of drivers, L-pad control, they weren't cheap speakers.

 

[swechsler]

Yo, buddy, Magnavox sold some great stuff in the states back in the 60's, check out my prized set, rubber surrounds, 15" with horns, I'd match them up against any set of Klipsch Hersey's any day:

After the Philips takeover, they basically sold crap. Your speakers were made well before that.

 

[savatage1973]

After the Philips takeover, they basically sold crap.

Speakers and BPC all-in-one rack systems, perhaps, but everyone got sucked into that market, but Philips/Magnavox continued on with some very well-regarded pieces, in terms of CDPs and video gear, and were the first to the market with a basic video game console.

 

[travellersol]

thanks guys. the owner bought this with together with a Marantz 1060 amp, so it is within the 70's. all the tweeters are not working anymore.

 

[savatage1973]

all the tweeters are not working anymore.

The only way to really know is to pull the drivers and test them (out of circuit) with a DMM. Could be blown fuses or cap failure in the crossovers--also, that tweeter selector switch could be suspect.

 

[kvining]

Doing a little reading last night, one article stated that Australia imposed high tariffs on stereo equipment back in the day in order to encourage it's infant electronic industry, forcing OEM's to buy parts locally and slap their brands on the locally produced products, so the speakers are Oz home brew never sold stateside, purchased by Maggie and sold in the ANZAC market.